The Moment Two Absolute Idiots Attempted To SURF On A Whale Shark

A video circulating the Internet this week shows two tourists
attempting to surf on a whale shark, while being towed along by a boat.

In the video, two idiots are towed behind a boat while balancing on
the whale shark, which they are using as a surfboard. To their sheer
amusement, the shark heads underwater in an attempt to forcibly remove
the two heavy hindrances. The shark unfortunately doesn’t succeed and
becomes more agitated as the boat party of jerks continues to harass the
poor fish.

Whale sharks are classified as vulnerable. Any human interaction with them can affect their natural behavior, including the constant movement required for their oxygen supply. Whale sharks also have to maintain a protective layer on their skin, so standing on a whale shark is a pretty dumb move.

It is illegal in the US to harass whales and dolphins, but this
unfortunately doesn’t extend to whales sharks as they’re classified as
fish.

"My hope is that one day sharks will be elevated to that same level
of protection as marine mammals," Eric Hovland, associate curator at the
Florida Aquarium, told Florida's Bay News 9 earlier this week.

Marine Connection, a conservation group based in the UK, said on its Facebook page,
"What a sad reflection on their attitude to wildlife when, instead of
considering themselves fortunate to see this majestic creature in the
wild, they choose to participate in a stupid stunt like this."